Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-08-05
PRETTY SHOP GIRLS.
An Interesting Sight on Lower broadway
When They Are Out I'm Force

1t is pleasure to walk up Broadway
from Chambers TO Blocker street any
bright afternoon from $50 to o'clock.
says New York correspondent Nearly
every one of the big buildings within
those limits has factories on every floor,
where hundreds and thousands Of girls
arc employed in making clothing, under.
wear, neckties, cloaks, fancy boxes and
other articles of luxury and necessity.
Pretty much all Of them are between the
ages of IA and %. BY the time they are
% they are either married or swept away,
no one knows where Most Of these
factories close at $50 and the girls hurry
on their wraps and start for home, and
great numbers Of them live in Brooklyn
and New jersey, where board and lodg-
ing is much cheaper than in New York,
and so they walk down Broadway TO the
ferries. They are as handsome a set Of
girls as can be found anywhere. Like
nearly all American women, they have the
knack of dressing becomingiy, and their
trim and shapely figures are SHOWN off to
good advantage. They do not look dis
contented If bright and cheerful faces are
MY criterion, and they chatter merrily as
hey pass along two or three at time
They have the independent bearing of
HHIH VIM huON NItl tdlu tlIll CIV llNiup
and are not dependent on any man for sup.
port. Some of the pretticst are accompa-
nied by young men-pcrhaps some of the
clerks who have taken a fancy 20 them.
Nearly all of them have been pupils in the
public schools. They read the newspapers
and can talk clcverly A vast amount
Of rot is printed about them, but
in point of fact they are as Jolly
and contented lot of young women
as can be found anywhere in the world.
There is n great outcry on the part Of the
atrical, short haired and atmospheric phil
antrophists, at times. because factory and
shop girls do not give up their employment
and seek homes rs servants in uptown
families. The girl knows what she is
about. The bedraggled maid of all work,
nagged by silly mistress, abused by
homie of snappy children and saddled with
a thousand cares, has one night out a week,
when She has an opportunity TO be CUurtcd
by the coachman or the hostlcr. The
working girl is her own mistress absolutely
from the time she leaves the factory at
o clock in the evening until She returns III
; the following morning. Her indepcu
dcnce is absolute, and during her hours of
freedom she is as much lady rs the wife /
Of the President She visits her friends
and receives the calls Of men who are bv no
means 10 be despiscd in the matrimonial |
market. n great and welcome change !
has come over public opinion respecting /
women who have the courage, faith, and /
energy TO go out in the world and make
themselves the arbiicrs of their own fu- /
lures instead of moping at home burden (
10 their friends and Il trial 10 their rela. /
lives. That workingwomen command in .
many instances the highest respect cannot .
DC denied by any man who has an init .
mate knowledge of New York life. There
are ladies of high culture, finished accom-
plishments, and many graccs OF mind and
person in the boarding houses of New
DIRK who are the popular leaders of little
social circles despite the fact that they are
employed during the day. There are
grades of labor, and women have learned .
o look the world in the face and fight 'or
he best fields.
1T is one of Ella Wheeler. Wilcoxp
yhims TO wear nothing but white in.
doors. Usually II is some sort of white
satin Kate Greenaway robe, high necked
md long sleeved in the morning, short
lseves and square neck at night.
At the Theater.
Miss Rural-What n beautiful woman
nat Is IN The night box.
Bagley-Ies; that's Mrs. De We're.
Miss Rural-And that handsome gentle.
nan in such interested conversation with
erg Is he her husbands
Baglcy-Oh. no. That's Mr.. jerks. a
acheor
Miss Rural-Pcrhaps The gentleman on
be other side os her is her husband2
Bagley-Oh. no.
Miss Rural-Thcn the one Just in front
l her - or, no; the one leaning over
or shoulder with such devoted ARR
Baglcy-No; all bachelors.
Miss Rural-Wcl who is that discon.
Dlatc, lonely locking individual sitting
Jay at the back?
Baglcy---lIts hcr lr,s5and.